Best of Ireland 6-Day Backpackers Economy Tour

Ireland rewards a busy itinerary. This six-day circuit packs Northern Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork, Kerry, and Dublin into one moving trip, with castles, coast roads, pubs, and famous sights along the way. I especially like the small-group feel on most days and the mix of major stops with local evenings in Belfast, Derry, Galway, Annascaul, and Killarney. The main consideration is pace: you cover a lot of ground, and one poor guide or late lunch can affect the whole day.

I also like that the backpacker option keeps this grand tour within reach at $1,058 per person, with transport, lodging, breakfasts, entrance fees, and a guide included. Gordon has earned praise for knowing local people and recommending evening activities, while Dani has also been singled out for a strong guiding job. The tradeoff is that accommodation quality can vary, especially the first night in Belfast, and the guide may sometimes feel more like a driver than a site interpreter.

Six things to know before you book

• The route covers all four corners of Ireland: You visit Belfast, Derry, Galway, the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney, Cork, and Dublin in six days.
• The Giant’s Causeway is a major highlight: You can see roughly 60,000 hexagonal basalt stones along the Antrim Coast.
• The transport setup can change: One booking described a large coach on day one, followed by a smaller coach for about 15 people with Wi-Fi.
• Annascaul is a useful overnight stop: The backpacker option has included a private room there, a welcome break after a long day.
• Four of five breakfasts were included for one backpacker booking: Check the exact package details before departure, since meal arrangements can vary by option.
• You need comfortable shoes and stamina: This is not a wheelchair-friendly tour, and several days include walks, ruins, cliffs, and long road stretches.

The big picture: Ireland in six fast-moving days

This is a sightseeing-heavy road trip rather than a slow village holiday. You will see more of Ireland than you could manage easily by public transport in six days, but you will spend plenty of time on the road.

The route is clever. It begins in Dublin, heads north into Northern Ireland, crosses west to Galway, follows the Atlantic coast toward Kerry, then returns through Cork to Dublin. You get famous sights such as the Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle, but the real pleasure comes from the changing scenery between them.

The tour is aimed at people who want a social, affordable way to see Ireland without renting a car. The backpacker package suits solo visitors, students, and anyone willing to trade luxury for access. One solo student described bonding with the group, enjoying a small coach, and finding most of the accommodation comfortable.

The price of $1,058 is not pocket change, but it covers six days of transport, accommodation, breakfasts, entry fees, and a live English-speaking guide. Add up separate hotels, a rental car, fuel, parking, admissions, and navigation, and the package begins to look fair. Its value depends on your tolerance for long days and shared or basic accommodation.

Day one: Dublin to Belfast and the Titanic story

You meet at Paddy’s Palace on Lower Gardiner Street at 8:45 AM. The early start matters, since this is a full day of travel from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland.

Belfast gives the tour a strong opening. Titanic Belfast is the central attraction, and the city’s historic downtown quarter adds a useful sense of place. The visit is not just about a famous ship. It also introduces Belfast’s industrial past and the city’s complicated modern identity.

You spend the night in Belfast. Accommodation is one area where you should keep expectations practical. The first-night hostel has been described as dirty, even though later accommodation was considered much better. If a clean, quiet room is a major part of your holiday, check the selected accommodation level carefully before paying.

The first day may also use a larger coach than the rest of the route. One booking found the later transport better, with a small group of around 15 people and Wi-Fi on the coach. That difference can affect the mood of the trip, especially when the road time is long.

Day two: the Antrim Coast, castle ruins, and basalt columns

Day two is the visual showstopper of Northern Ireland. You travel along the Antrim Coast, stopping at Dunluce Castle, the Dark Hedges, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and the Giant’s Causeway.

Dunluce Castle is a dramatic ruin above the sea. Even if you only have time for a short visit and photographs, its broken walls and exposed setting give you one of those classic Irish scenes without needing a long hike.

The Dark Hedges offer another memorable photo stop. The lane is famous for its arching trees, though your time there may be brief. Carrick-a-Rede adds a different kind of thrill, with its coastal setting and rope bridge. The supplied information confirms a photo opportunity, so do not assume the bridge crossing itself is included in your day.

The Giant’s Causeway deserves your attention. Around 60,000 hexagonal basalt stones form the shore, created by ancient volcanic activity and shaped by the sea. The stones look almost designed by hand, but the uneven ground makes good shoes important. Give yourself time to look down at the patterns, then look out toward the Atlantic. The site works because it is both geologically strange and very easy to experience on foot.

You finish in Derry with a historic walking tour. This is a good contrast to the coast. Instead of rushing from one viewpoint to another, you get a more human sense of the city and its past.

Day three: crossing west through Strandhill to Galway

You leave Northern Ireland and drive toward Galway along the Wild Atlantic Way. The journey is long, but it changes the rhythm of the trip. The north’s cliffs and political history give way to open coastal views and Atlantic weather.

Strandhill is a surfing hotspot and a useful lunch stop. You also get time to walk on the beach. That small amount of freedom matters on a packed route. A beach walk lets you stretch your legs and enjoy Ireland without an admission queue or a fixed attraction schedule.

Galway brings a livelier evening. A free walking tour introduces the city, and you spend the night there. The tour’s social side often becomes more important in Galway, where there are opportunities to hear music, dance, and spend time in pubs.

The balance here is good, but the day can feel road-heavy. If you prefer a detailed guided explanation at every stop, ask how much commentary you can expect while driving and at the sights. One poor experience on this type of tour came from a guide offering little information at locations and focusing mainly on driving. Other guide feedback was much warmer, particularly for Gordon and Dani, so the quality of your day may depend heavily on the person leading it.

Day four: the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

The route continues from Galway toward Annascaul on the Dingle Peninsula, with the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren as the day’s key stops.

The Cliffs of Moher are best approached with sensible expectations. You will walk along clifftop paths and look across the Atlantic from one of Ireland’s most famous viewpoints. Wind and weather can change quickly, so comfortable shoes and a rain layer make more sense than dressing for a city tour.

The cliffs are dramatic because the experience is open and exposed. You are not viewing them from a museum or a bus window. You can walk, pause, and choose your own angle, though the amount of free time will depend on the day’s schedule.

The Burren gives you a very different type of scenery. The exposed limestone ground feels stark compared with the green fields many people expect from Ireland. Castle ruins and bog walks are also part of the wider tour experience, adding texture beyond the headline sights.

You sleep in Annascaul. This overnight stop may be one of the better surprises for backpackers. A private room in Annascaul has been included in the backpacker option for at least one booking, giving you a quieter night after the coast and a long transfer.

Day five: the Dingle Peninsula by road

Day five is devoted to the Dingle Peninsula, often regarded as one of Europe’s great scenic drives. This is where the tour’s road-trip design makes the most sense.

The peninsula combines Atlantic views, small settlements, rugged shorelines, and Gaelic culture. You will spend much of the day looking out the window, but the road itself is part of the experience. The scenery changes quickly, so keep your camera ready, while remembering that weather can make visibility uncertain.

A full day here is valuable because a short photo stop would not do the area justice. You have more time to see the coast and understand why this corner of Ireland attracts walkers, photographers, and road-trippers.

The downside is fatigue. By this point, you have already crossed much of the island. If you need long, unstructured mornings, this tour will feel demanding. If you like waking up somewhere new and letting a guide handle the route, the constant movement is a benefit.

The night in Killarney sets up one of the trip’s more traditional experiences. You may have the chance to go out in the evening, and one particularly praised suggestion was the Celtic Steps show. Evening dancing and pub time are not guaranteed attractions in the package, but the tour creates room for them.

Day six: Killarney National Park, Blarney Castle, and Dublin

The final day begins with a tour of Killarney National Park. A horse-led car ride through the park connects you with a 19th-century tradition and gives your legs a break after several walking days.

This is a pleasant change of pace. Instead of rushing along a clifftop or walking through a city, you experience the park from a slower, seated position. The value is less about covering ground and more about enjoying the setting without having to navigate.

From Killarney, you visit Blarney Castle near Cork. The famous ritual is kissing the Blarney Stone, which is said to grant the gift of eloquence. You do not have to treat the legend seriously to enjoy the stop. The castle grounds and the act itself give the day a playful finish.

The tour ends back in Dublin by early evening. That timing is useful if you have a late meal, a final pub visit, or onward plans. Still, I would avoid booking an important flight immediately afterward. The program covers long distances, and traffic or delays can affect the return.

The overview also mentions the Guinness Brewery among the Ireland highlights, but the day-by-day schedule supplied here does not clearly assign a Guinness visit to a specific day. Treat it as something to confirm before booking rather than a guaranteed stop.

Transport, group size, and the human factor

The guide can make or break a road trip. Gordon has been praised for knowing local people, introducing the group to locals, giving practical recommendations, and joining the group at the pub. Dani has also received strong praise. These details matter because the tour includes long drives, and a personable guide can turn road time into part of the experience.

At the same time, you should not assume every guide will give the same level of commentary. One booking described the guide as mostly a driver, with limited information at the sites. That is the clearest warning in the feedback: the route is strong, but the interpretation may vary.

Group size also matters. A coach carrying about 15 people can make boarding, photo stops, and pub evenings easier. The larger coach used on one first day was less appealing. Ask about the expected vehicle and group size if that is important to you.

The social setup suits solo visitors well. You spend several nights in shared accommodation or backpacker-style lodging, and the route naturally encourages people to eat, walk, and go out together. If you want privacy every night, select the most comfortable accommodation option available or consider an independent trip.

What the $1,058 price really buys you

The strongest value comes from convenience. You do not need to plan a cross-border route, arrange a rental car, pay separate entrance fees, or work out how to reach the Giant’s Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, and Blarney Castle in one loop.

Included breakfasts help, though the exact number may vary by package. One booking received breakfast on four of five mornings. Lunch and dinner are not included, and you should budget for both, along with optional evening activities such as a show or a Belfast black taxi tour.

Additional attractions are also separate. A black taxi tour in Belfast and the Celtic Steps show in Killarney were both praised as worthwhile extras, but they add to the headline price.

I consider $1,058 reasonable for a six-day all-island route if you value access and time. It is less appealing if you want high-end hotels, leisurely meals, or a carefully paced cultural tour. The backpacker option is about seeing a lot, meeting people, and keeping the planning simple.

Who should book this Ireland tour?

I would recommend it to solo visitors, students, first-time Ireland visitors, and active people who want the major sights without driving. It also works well if you enjoy pub evenings, group walks, coastal views, and a full schedule.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, shared accommodation, long coach rides, or weather-dependent outdoor stops. The route is not suitable for wheelchair users, and comfortable shoes are essential.

The tour is also a better fit for flexible personalities. Itinerary order may change, and one poor experience involved missed points, views seen through the coach window, and lunches delayed until 2 PM or later. That is not ideal, especially on a six-day trip where every hour matters.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is maximum Ireland coverage in minimum time. The route is excellent, the price includes many costly essentials, and the mix of Northern Ireland, Galway, Kerry, Cork, and Dublin gives you a broad first look at the island.

I would book the backpacker option if I were comfortable with variable accommodation and a busy schedule. Before paying, I would confirm the lodging level, expected coach size, breakfast arrangement, and whether the Guinness Brewery visit is included. If you can accept those limits, Paddywagon Tours offers a practical way to reach places that are difficult to connect on your own in six days.

FAQ

How long is the Best of Ireland tour?

The tour lasts six days and ends in Dublin by early evening on day six.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at 8:45 AM at Paddy’s Palace on Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin D1.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to Dublin and ends there by early evening on the sixth day.

Is a guide included?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

What transport is included?

Transportation is included. One booking described a small coach for about 15 people with Wi-Fi, while the first day used a larger coach.

Are breakfasts included?

Breakfasts are included, though the exact arrangement depends on the selected option. One backpacker booking included breakfast on four of five mornings.

Are lunch and dinner included?

No. Lunch and dinner are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.